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Motorcyclists are at risk of serious, debilitating injuries when they are involved in a motor vehicle accident. If you or a loved one have been injured it is important to bring your case to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Why? Because the cost of the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can as devastating as the injuries themselves.
When you come to Meyerkord & Kurth for help with your motorcycle accident claim, you will have the advantage of working with a team that has more than 100 years of combined legal experience. Our St. Louis motor vehicle accident lawyers take pride in fighting for the rights of accident victims and their families and want to provide you with compassionate support in your claim for damages.
Call our knowledgeable St. Louis motorcycle accident attorneys at (800) 391-4318 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced team!
What Will a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in St. Louis Do For My Case?
Most people injured in a motorcycle accident have never thought of hiring an attorney before and may not understand the benefits of having one on their side.
First of all, we will deal with the insurance company for you. No one facing the long-term recovery associated with a motorcycle accident needs to have the extra burden of speaking to the insurance adjuster on their shoulders. Our legal team will be your voice during this time, allowing you the peace of mind you need to rest and recover from your injuries while knowing your case is in capable hands.
Second, we will maximize your financial recovery from the insurance company. At the end of the day, insurance companies are businesses that are out to make a profit. Their claims adjusters will do everything in their power to minimize the value of your claim and pressure you into accepting a low-ball settlement offer. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in St. Louis know what your claim is worth and will fight for every penny you deserve.
Don’t try to tackle a motorcycle accident claim on your own! Put an experienced St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyer on your side who will fight for you.
Serious Injuries and Damage in St. Louis Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are much more likely than drivers to be seriously injured in an accident. Even when wearing the right protective equipment, the amount of protection they have isn’t even close to what a driver—encased in a vehicle, with seatbelts, airbags, etc—is afforded. That may be the reason motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than drivers traveling the same distance.
Catastrophic injuries, like traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal organ damage, may require emergency surgery, extended hospitalization, and physical rehabilitation for many months or years after the accident. These expenses can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Compounded with the fact that the injured motorcyclist may be out of work for quite some time, these heavy expenses may be impossible to pay out of pocket.
The legal team at Meyerkord & Kurth are ready to fight for every penny you deserve for your motorcycle accident injuries. Contact us online or call (800) 391-4318 now for a free consultation!
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in St. Louis
Riding a motorcycle in St. Louis comes with real dangers. When crashes happen, the injuries are often severe because motorcyclists lack the protection of a car. You deserve fair compensation if someone else causes your accident, and Meyerkord & Kurth can fight for your rights every step of the way.
The most common causes we see in motorcycle accidents include:
- Drivers looking at their phones instead of the road
- Cars turning left directly into a motorcycle’s path
- Drivers changing lanes without checking their blind spots
- Poorly maintained roads with potholes or debris
- Drunk or impaired drivers
- Cars speeding through intersections
- Weather conditions that affect visibility
Identifying Who Is at Fault in a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident
While some motorcycle accidents are caused by the rider’s reckless or careless actions, many can be directly attributed to negligence on the part of the driver of the passenger vehicle. In fact, many motorcyclists make it a point to ride defensively, knowing they are at risk of being seriously injured or killed in an accident.
Automobile drivers, on the other hand, are far more likely to get distracted behind the wheel or to forget to check their blind spots before turning or changing lanes. They may claim the right-of-way when it is not theirs, leaving motorcyclists with little or no time to react.
When you come to Meyerkord & Kurth, we will thoroughly investigate your motorcycle accident to determine who is at fault and present solid evidence that will prove your case in settlement negotiations or in court, if the case goes to trial. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in St. Louis are not afraid to take big insurance companies to court for the sake of our clients!
Comparative Negligence Laws in Missouri
Motorcyclists often face unfair bias from insurance companies and defense attorneys, which can lead to lower settlements and, in some cases, denied claims. This is particularly true when the other party claims that the motorcyclist contributed to the crash.
Missouri uses pure comparative negligence laws, which means you can still recover money even if you were partly at fault for the accident. The court assigns a percentage of blame to each person involved, and your compensation gets reduced by your percentage. For example, if you claim $100,000 and the court assigns 30% of the liability to you, you will receive $70,000.
That’s why having our team at Meyerkord & Kurth fight for you matters—we’ve spent over 40 years standing up to these tactics and protecting motorcyclists throughout St. Louis. We will aggressively counter any unfair accusations of blame and prove the other party’s liability.
Importance of Evidence That Can Be Used in a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Claim
To recover compensation in a motorcycle accident case, you need strong evidence that shows the other party caused your collision. Police reports form the foundation of most motorcycle cases. These documents may include the responding officer’s observations, statements from those involved, and preliminary determinations of fault.
Medical records tell the story of your injuries: their immediate severity, the treatments you require, and the long-term outlook. These records link your injuries directly to the crash and document your pain and suffering, which you can use to prove your right to compensation.
Witness testimony can provide independent verification of how the accident occurred. Bystanders with no connection to either party can help establish the series of events leading to the collision, helping counter false claims about your riding behavior or speed.
Video evidence has become increasingly valuable in motorcycle cases, whether from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or dashboard cameras from other vehicles. Physical evidence can also validate important facts about the collision: skid marks showing braking distance, damage patterns on vehicles revealing impact angles, and your damaged protective gear illustrating the force of impact.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Crash in St. Louis
The actions you take immediately following a motorcycle accident significantly impact your physical recovery and legal claim. After a motorcycle crash, you should:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries.
- Report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the report.
- Document the scene with photos and videos if you are physically able.
- Collect contact information from witnesses and other involved parties.
- Avoid discussing fault or giving recorded statements to insurers.
- Preserve physical evidence, including damaged gear, clothing, and your motorcycle.
- Contact Meyerkord & Kurth for a free consultation and begin building your case.
We Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident in St. Louis
Our St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to help you take action to hold a driver accountable for causing your accident. We know how difficult it can be to move forward after a crash causes serious injuries, but we are here to take some of the burden off your hands. Our skilled team has experience negotiating settlements and arguing cases in court to help clients maximize their outcomes.
Our goal in every case is to recover the full compensation you deserve, which can include payment for your medical expenses and future costs, compensation for your lost wages and reduced earning power, and even damages for your pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Reach out to us if you’ve bee hurt to learn more about your legal options and rights in this situation. Our team wants to help you pursue justice and recovery the compensation you need to fund your treatment.
If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in St. Louis, we are here to help you hold the negligent party accountable. Call us at (800) 391-4318 to schedule a free consultation with our team.